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AIX on System i

Overview

Benefits

Products

Getting started

AIX 5L offerings for System i

	AIX Version 6.1 AIX 6.1 extends the capabilities of the AIX operating system by including features such as Workload Partitions, Live Application Mobility, Role Based Access Control, Encrypting Filesystems, Concurrent AIX Kernel Updates and many other features. This release underscores the strategic importance of AIX as it delivers groundbreaking new features while maintaining full binary compatibility with previous AIX releases. More than ever, this release of AIX allows you to more efficiently use your IBM servers to support the needs of your business. AIX V6.1 represents the latest advance in a long record of IBM operating system innovation.

	AIX Version 5.3 AIX 5L V5.3 offers simultaneous multi-threading on POWER5 systems to deliver industry leading throughput and performance levels. With support for advanced virtualization, AIX 5L V5.3 helps you to dramatically increase your server utilization and consolidate workloads for more efficient management. AIX 5L Version 5.3 represents the latest advance in a long record of IBM operating system innovation and helps customers to accelerate their move to becoming an On Demand Business.

	AIX 5L Version 5.2 AIX 5L V5.2 integrates innovative technologies to achieve outstanding performance, reliability and flexibility in today's e-business environment. Customer-validated enhancements such as dynamic logical partitioning and Capacity Upgrade on Demand differentiate the AIX 5L platform from competitors.

Virtualization support

AIX 6.1 and AIX 5L 5.3 and 5.2 are supported in logical partitions on the IBM i platform.

	AIX 5L 5.2	AIX 5L 5.3	AIX 6
Dynamic LPAR (processors, memory, and I/O)
Micro-Partitions (up to 10 partitions per processor)
Uncapped Partitions (automatic movement of processor resources)
Virtual Storage, Ethernet, and DVD/CD (through IBM i)
Support for Virtual I/O Server for resource virtualization
Direct I/O (managed by AIX)

IBM i provides storage, Ethernet, and DVD/CD virtualization for AIX 6 and AIX 5L 5 partitions allowing customers to leverage their IBM i resources. IBM i is the popular choice for System i customers to provide virtualization support for AIX and Linux partitions.

In addition, the Virtual I/O Server can provide storage, Ethernet, and DVD/CD virtualization for AIX 6 and AIX 5L 5.3 partitions running on System i or System p platforms. The Virtual I/O Server is purchased as part of the Advanced Power Virtualization hardware feature. The Virtual I/O Server is an appliance partition that provides resource virtualization support; applications do not run in the Virtual I/O Server. System i customers may be interested in the Virtual I/O Server to for support of selected 3rd party storage area networks.

Learn more about Virtual I/O Server

Virtual tape is currently not supported by IBM i or Virtual I/O Server for AIX partitions.

Licensing

AIX is licensed by processor and by processor group on the System i and System p platforms.

AIX is supported on System i POWER5, POWER5+, and POWER6 processor-based servers.
AIX licenses for a System p server can be transferred to the IBM i platform.
AIX Software Maintenance (SWMA) is required for each AIX license: 1-year (5771-SWM) and 3-year (5773-SM3) options are available.

AIX 5L V5.3 and AIX 5L V5.2 became available for System i POWER5 processor-based servers starting on August 31, 2004.

Enterprise Edition

The System i IBM i and Enterprise Editions include offerings for AIX.

	Service Voucher for a "Getting Started with AIX on on System i" service — available with selected 520, 525, 550, 570, and 595 systems. The Service Voucher includes onsite installation services for AIX on System i.
	Education Vouchers for attending a technical AIX on System i or AIX class — available with selected 550, 570, and 595 systems.